Folding table

ABSTRACT

A table top having depending side aprons is provided with folding and support means, each comprising a subassembly of two legs and an interconnecting stretcher-end apron, which are floatingly mounted between brackets depending from the top by pin and slot means and are controlled by the disposition of the pins and slots and by coacting spring means to cause the end assemblies to abut against the ends of the side aprons when unfolded and to swing away from the top and move inwardly of the top to lie wholly within the perimeter of the top and superimposed on the side aprons when folded, or, if the legs of the two subassemblies are too long relative to the length of the top to be folded into the same plane, with the legs of one end assembly superimposed on the side aprons and with the legs of the other end assembly superimposed upon them. Hooklike members projecting from inward extensions of the legs of each subassembly partly encircle a crossbar as the subassembly is moved from folded to unfolded position, and press against it, to provide an automatic lock, and eccentric pivot means rotatably supporting the crossbar provides increased locking pressure when the bar is rotated, the spring means and the pivot means coacting to resist inadvertent rotation of the crossbar in an unlocking direction.

United States Patentv [72] Inventor Alan Carleton Burr East Norwalk, Conn. [21] AppLNo. 785,408 [22] Filed Aug.20, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 12,1971 [73] Assignee Howe Folding Furniture, Incorporated New York, N.Y. a corporation of Connecticut 54 FOLDING TABLE 5 13 Claims,9Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8.01 108/1'32 [51] Int. Cl A471! 3/08 [50] Field ol'Search 108/129- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS- 272,909 2/1883 Shattuck 108/ 131 2,657,963 11/1953 Fox 108/131X 3,093,095 6/l963 Howe etal... 108/131 3,224,39012/1965 Calvin 108/132 FOREIGN PATENTS 70,896 '1/1916 Austria 108/129 428,289 108/129 5/1935 Great Britain Primary Examiner-Emest R. Purser Assistant Examiner-Jan A. Calvert Attorney-John W. l-loag ABSTRACT: A table top having depending side aprons is provided with folding and support means, each comprising a subassembly of two legs and an interconnecting stretcher-end apron, which are floatingly mounted between brackets depending from the top by pin and slot means and are controlled by the disposition of the pins and slots and by coacting spring means to cause the end assemblies to abut against the ends of the side aprons when unfolded and to swing away from the top and move inwardly of the top to lie wholly within the perimeter of the top and superimposed on the side aprons when folded, or, if the legs of the two subassemblies are too long relative to the length of the top to be folded into the same plane, with the legs of one end assembly superimposed on the side aprons and with the legs of the other end assembly superimposed upon them. Hooklike members projecting from inward extensions of the legs of each subassembly partly encircle a crossbar as the subassembly is moved from folded to unfolded position, and press against it, to provide an automatic lock, and eccentric pivot means rotatably supporting the crossbar provides increased locking pressure when the bar is rotated, the spring means and the pivot means coacting to resist inadvertent rotation of the crossbar in an unlocking direction.

. 1 FOLDING TABLE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION the table top in parallel relation to the table top, with the legs of each end support assembly resting on the side flanges or aprons of the top, or, in case of overlapping legs, with a first end support assembly superimposed on the side aprons and the other end support assembly superimposed on the folded first end assembly. i

2. Description of the Prior Art Probably the closest prior art is the structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,085, issued Jun. 1 I, 1963.'That patent shows a table structure having substantially thesame appearance in unfolded position as the table which is the subject of this appli: cation. The present invention is an improvementupon the structure shown in said patent and eliminates the side bars or.

slides 52 and 54 with enlarged heads 24 and 30, shown in FIG. 3 of the patent, and also the slots s in the legs to receive heads 24 and 30, as well as the control structure 34, 3241,3212 and the end cams 48 and 50 shown in FIG. 4. In the prior art structure the upper ends of the legs and the interconnecting crossmember or stretcher of an end assembly extended beyond the end of the table top when the legs were folded. In the im-- proved structure means are provided whereby an end support assembly is first lifted away from thetable top 'as' it is folded and is then drawn inwardly of the table top until the upper ends of the legs and interconnecting crossmember or stretcher are disposed flush with the edge of the table top. 1

SUMMARY -An object of the invention is to provide a foldable table having legs which in open position are disposed close to the ends of the table and in folded position lie within the. perimeter of the table top. p

Another object of the invention is .to provide mounting means for the end support assemblies "which will permit the assemblies to be disposed in folded condition in planes parallel to, and spaced from the plane of the table top.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple means for automatically locking an end support. assembly in open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for increasing the automatic. locking force and for resisting unlocking. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide means for initially resisting folding or unfolding movement, for exerting a steadying control of the end assemblies while they are moving between open and folded position, for aiding in the compleend support assemblies in open or in folded position.

and abut against the adjacent ends of the side aprons and as the end support assembly is rotated inwardly the legs pivot on the ends of the side aprons causing the upper ends of the subassemblies to be lifted and swung away from the under surface of the table top and moved inwardly along the top until they lie wholly within the perimeter of the top in a plane parallel to the top. The spring members coact with the pin and slot mounting of the subassemblies to draw the subassemblies inwardly over the top.

The faces of the leg extensions each define a reentry groove partly encircled by a hook-shaped portion of the-said extension. Automatic locking of the end assemblies is accomplished by movement of the hook-shaped portions which move with the legs relative to crossbars which are provided adjacent each end of the table. The crossbars are each mounted on eccentrically disposed pivots and in position to be partly encircled and frictionally engaged by said hook-shaped members. If the crossbars are further rotated in one direction the frictional engagement of the Crossbars by the hooklike members is increased and the point of contact between the crossbar and the opposed hooklike members is moved further along the inner A folding table comprises a top with side aprons and two w end support assemblies each comprising two legs with inwardly projecting extensions,- and a stretcher extending between the upper ends of the legs and also serving,,in unfolded position,'asan end apron. I

Each extension, sometimes referred to herein as a plate, has a slot and the subassembly is mounted on support pins which extend into the slots from support means depending from the top adjacent its sideedg'es. Spring members, which are connected at one end to the plates respectively and at the other end to rotatable pivot pins, provide control of the movements of said subassemblies which are first lifted away from the table top and then swung inwardly of the top as they move from unfolded to folded position.'ln unfolded position the inner faces,

edge of the hooklike member. Conversely, by rotating a crossbar in the opposite direction it is moved away from contact with the hook-shaped members and the end support assembly may then be folded.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table in unfolded working position. Without looking at the underside of the table top it would not be possible to tell whether the structure is that of said U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,095, or of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. I with the table lying on its back showing a portion of one end support assembly in fully unfolded position ancl also in partly folded position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the relation of the leg structure in fully folded position and lying on a side apron. In this position the locking bar is completely disengaged.

FIG. 4 is a plan view looking at the underside of the table structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view partly in cross section showing the mounting of a locking bar between side flanges of the table structure.

FIG. 6 is a view of a stack of tables looking at the ends of the tables.

FIG. 7 is a view of a folded unit disposed on one side.

FIG. 8 is a view of a folded unit disposed on one end.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but modified by the use of legs which are of such length in proportion to the length of the table that when folded the outer ends of the legs overlap, and shows that the means provided herein enable both end support assemblies to lie flat with one superimposed upon the other and in a form to be conveniently stacked.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein a folding table is provided comprising the top 10 which has depend-- assembly are not only aligned transversely of the table with their interconnecting stretcher aprons but they are also aligned longitudinally of the table the side aprons 12 and the upper portions'of the legs of each end assembly abut against the adjacent ends of the side aprons when unfolded.

Thus, in unfolded condition thereisan apron extending around the perimeter of the table broken only at the corners where one side and one end apron member respectively extend to adjoining angular related faces of a leg.

Since the end assemblies are, for appearance, desirably positioned close to the ends of the table top, hinge means employed to make the end support assemblies foldable, as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,095, will cause the upper ends of the legs and the intermediate stretcher apron of an end support assembly to extend beyond the ends of the table top in folded position. One of the objects of this invention is to avoid the projection of any part of an end support assembly beyond the ends of the table top when the table is folded, and this has been accomplished in the present structure by a combination of means which cause each end support assembly, as it is folded, to swing first outwardly, away from the inner surface of the table top, and then to be drawn inwardly until the full length of the folded end assembly is within a projection of the perimeter of the table top and the legs 20 comprising each end support assembly are superimposed upon the under surface of the side apron members 12 respectively, and are yieldingly retained in that position to prevent the end assemblies from flopping about when the tables are being handled in folded condition. This swinging action is accomplished by a combination of a specially positioned pin and slot mounting for the end assemblies and coacting springs, also specially positioned. The springs provide stability to the end assemblies while they are moving on their pin mountings. They also resist folding and unfolding motion, and, after a high point is passed, aid in the completion of the folding and unfolding movements and serve to yielding retain the end support assemblies in fully folded or unfolded position, as will be more fully described.

Projecting inwardly of the table from along the inner faces of the respective legs of each end support assembly are the extensions or plates 24. As shown in FIG. 4 the plates 24 are angle members comprising a longer arm 24a which extends along the inner face of a leg 20, between the leg and an end of an inner channel member 23b, which together with the slightly longer channel member 23a comprise stretcher-end aprons 22, and a shorter arm 24b which is bent over the inside of 23b and secured to it.

The main portions of plates 24 (arms 24a) extend in parallel with the table top when the end assemblies are fully unfolded, and are disposed at right angles to the table top when the end assemblies are fully unfolded. Each end support assembly therefore comprises, in addition to a pair of legs and an interconnecting stretcher apron, a pair of plates 24 extending at right angles to the legs respectively.

This whole assembly is floatingly mounted on pins 26 provided in support brackets 28, which as shown are short members depending from the table top 10 in parallel with the side aprons l2 and disposed just inside the side aprons. It will be understood that the pins 26 could be mounted on the side apron members, which as illustrated are inwardly opening channel members, but this might to some extent mar the appearance of the table and so the pins are preferably mounted in brackets 28 respectively and the side aprons l2 serve to hide from view both the brackets 28 and the pins 26 when the table is in unfolded position.

The pins 26 are received in slots 30 provided in plates 24 respectively, and it will be seen from FIGS. 3 and 9 that the slots extend at right angles to the table top when an end assembly is in folded position, and extend parallel to the table top when an end assembly is in fully unfolded position. The length of the slot depends upon the distance between the table top and the plane parallel to the table top into which it is desired to position the end assembly in folded position. Thus if, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the table top employed is long enough in relation to the legs so that in folded condition there is no overlapping of the legs of the respective end assemblies, the slots need only be long enough to allow for some movement, about one-half inch, of the plates relative to the pins, plus a distance sufficient for an end assembly to move away from the table top. If, as shown in FIG. 9, the length of the table top is so small in relation to the length of the legs that, in folded condition, one of the end assemblies is swung into a first plane parallel to the top and superimposed over the bottoms of the side aprons I2 and the other end assembly is swung into a second plane still further removed from the plane of the table top in order to be superimposed over the end assembly the legs of which are directly superimposed on the bottoms of the side aprons, the slots 30 will have to be of a length slightly greater, about one-half inch greater, than the width of a leg 20 superimposed on the side apron as shown in FIG. 9.

The face of each plate 24 which is remote from the supporting leg defines a reentry groove 32 between a rounded edge portion 34, in which the slot 30 is disposed, and a hook-shaped portion 36 which extends outwardly beyond portion 34 and partly over the space comprising said reentry groove, which thus opens inwardly at an angle from a narrow mouth into a space which is enlarged beyond the inwardly curved opposed faces of the edge portions 34 and 36. In this embodiment it is the inner edge 36a of the hook-shaped portions which are most important since in open position they engage and press against a crossbar 38 to provide a positive lock for the end assembly of which they form a part.

It will be noted that the ends of the crossbars do not extend to the side aprons 12, or, more specifically, they do not extend to the supporting brackets 28 which are provided inside of the side aprons. Instead they are welded to the long arm 42 of J- pivot pins 40, the outer ends of which extend through, and are rotatably mounted in, said brackets 28 which thus support the crossbars on an eccentric axis. The short arm 44 of each .lbracket is used to anchor one end of a spring member 46.

A spring member 46 is attached to the inner face of each plate 24 as by a lug 48, located adjacent to, and beyond the inner end of the slot 30, and nearer the edge of the plate which is its upper edge when the end assembly of which it forms a part is fully unfolded. The other end of the spring is attached, as stated above, to the short arm of the J-bracket, which as described above is rotatable.

The crossbars 38 are so positioned that as an end support assembly is moved through an are from folded to unfolded position the hook portions 36 of the plates 24 comprised in the assembly will swing under and partly around the opposed crossbar 38. The inner edges 36a of the hook members are shaped so that they will bear forcibly against the inner surface of the crossbar when the leg is in fully unfolded position and thus will draw the end assembly up tightly against the ends of the opposed side aprons. This in itself will provide a dependable lock, but as a further precaution against inadvertent folding of an end assembly, each crossbar 38 has projecting at right angles to it, intermediate its ends, a handle 39 for facilitating rotation of the crossbar, and as best seen in FIG. 2, this action rotates the crossbar on its eccentric J-pivot pin axis causing it to move further along the opposed edge 360, which because of its shape increases still further the locking pressure between the crossbar and edge 36a. The J-pivot pins are rotated sufficiently to move their short arms 44 into position where the spring members 46 tend to resist return rotation and thus a positive lock is provided until the handle of the crossbar is lifted to disengage the crossbar from the edge 36a of the hook-shaped member 36. v

It will be seen that the spring members 46 serve several functions:

1. The springs coact with the pins 26 and slots 30 to control the floatingly mounted end assemblies, maintaining tension on the assembly as the legs of the assembly pivot around the ends of the abutting side aprons during both folding and unfolding of the end assemblies.

2. The springs not only hold the legs of an end assembly against the adjacent ends of the side aprons when the table is unfolded but also hold the legs of an assembly in folded position, superimposed over the bottom of the side aprons 12 or over the legs of the opposed end support assembly as the case may be. 1

3. The springs aid the final unfolding movement of the end support assembly and thus helps to urge the plates 24 into position where their hook-shaped portions 36 will encircle and press against the opposed crossbar 38, providing an initial locking of the end assembly in unfolded position.

4. After the crossbar hasbeenrotated on its eccentric axis to provide a further locking of an end support assembly the way.

lclaim:

LA folding table comprising a top, two end support assemblies, each comprising two. legs and an interconnecting stretcher, and pin and slot meansfor floatingly mounting the assemblies under the table top. the stretchers serving as end aprons when the table is in unfolded position, and side apron members depending from the top along its sides respectively, and each extending into aligned, abutting relation with one leg of each end support assembly when said legs are in unfolded position, and servingas support means on the undersurface' of which said legs are superimposed in folded position, means including said pin and slot means for supporting the assemblies for swinging movement between an unfolded position in which the assemblies are substantially normal to the plane of the top and disposed under the corners. of the top with the legs in abutting relation to the respective ends of the apron side members, and a'ifolded position in which the assemblies are disposed within the-perimeter'of the top in a plane substantiallyparallel with the top'with the legs superimposed over, and resting on, the under-surfaceof the said side apron members.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1' including spring means interconnected-between thetable top and each end support assembly, said spring means being disposed in relation to the pin and slot interconnection to provide a toggle action for controlling the position of the. pin means within the slot means. a

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the end support assemblies comprise plates projecting inwardly. from the legs respectively, the plates are slotted with slots extending at right angles to the legs respectively, and the pins which engage the slots are supported below the top along its respective lateral edges.

4. The structure claimed'in claim 3 including spring means interconnected between the said plates and the table top and acting to initially resist folding port assemblies. v

5. The structure claimed in claim 4 in which the said plates define reentry grooves extending inwardly of the plate at an angle and widening inwardly frornfa narrow mouth between two opposed portions of the plate one of which extends outwardly beyond the other and is hook-shaped, and lock bars are provided below thetable topadjacent its respective eridszand and unfolding of the end supblies are moved to unfolded position thus locking the end support assemblies in unfolded position.

6. The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the lower corners of the ends of the side aprons coact with the pin and slot mounting of the end support assemblies to provide fulcrum points around which the said assemblies are first lifted away from the table top and then moved inwardly of the table top.

other means are provided for rotating the eccentrically mounted locking bar means to cause them to move along the inner edge of the hook-shaped means.

9. The structure claimed in claim 8 including spring means interconnected between the plates and the locking bars for first opposing and then aiding folding and unfolding of the end support assembly.

10. The structure claimed in claim 1 including slotted plates projecting from the legs of said assemblies respectively and .pins projecting into said slots respectively from pin supporting means depending from the table top for floating supporting the assembly from the tabletop.

11. A folding table comprising a top, brackets depending from the top along its lateral edges. adjacent the ends of the top, end support assemblieseach comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a stretcher, plates projecting inwardly from disposed to be encircled and frictionally engaged by the hook members of said plates respectiveiyas theend support assemadjacent the top of the legs respectively, plate mounting pins projecting inwardly from said brackets the said plate having slots in which said pins are respectively received to floatingly mount the end assemblies for movement between an unfolded position normal to the top and a folded position in which they are disposed in a plane parallel to'the plane of the top, and camming means disposed in abutting relation to said legs and coacting with the pin and slot mounting of the assemblies as the assemblies are moved from unfolded to folded position to first lift the assemblies away from the under surface of the table top and then move them inwardly of the table top into a plane parallel with the table top.

12. The structure claimed in claim 11 in which the length of the slots in said plates is greater than the width of said legs to permit the legs of one end assembly to be folded into one plane parallel to the plane of the top and to permit the legs of another end assembly to be folded into another plane parallel to the plane of the top and superimposed over the legs of the first mentioned assembly. I

13. The structure claimed in claim 11 in which locking bar means are provided adjacent the ends of the top and the" locking bar means are mounted eccentrically on .l-pivot pinsfi the longer arms of the J-members being pivotally supported in mounting means depending from the table top and the shorter arms of the J-members being connected to the plates groove defining means by extensible spring means.

Dated January 12, 1971 Patent No.

PAGE 1 lnventofls) Alan Carleton Burr It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION ParentNo- %.55 1.1 +1 "'1 r Ja'riuary 12, 1971 Inventofls) Alan Carleton Burr PAGE 2 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Figure 5 is corrected as follows:

Patent No. 3,554,141 Dated January 12, 1971 Inventor(s) Alan Carleton Burr PAGE 3 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet, in the Abstract line 2 "and" should read end Column 1 line 21 3 ,O93,085" should read 3 ,O93,095 Column 3 line 28 "yielding" should read yieldingly line 40, cancel "un"; Column 6 line 19 the claim numbered "9" should be renumbered as crlaim 10 same line 19, claim reference numeral "8" should read 9 line 23, the claim numbered "10" should be renumbered as claim 9 Signed and sealed this 7th day of September 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

M- Q ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Offlcer Acting Commissioner of Pate 

1. A folding table comprising a top, two end support assemblies each comprising two legs and an interconnecting stretcher, and pin and slot means for floatingly mounting the assemblies under the table top, the stretchers serving as end aprons when the table is in unfolded position, and side apron members depending from the top along its sides respectively, and each extending into aligned, abutting relation with one leg of each end support assembly when said legs are in unfolded position, and serving as support means on the undersurface of which said legs are superimposed in folded position, means including said pin and slot means for supporting the assemblies for swinging movement between an unfolded position in which the assemblies are substantially normal to the plane of the top And disposed under the corners of the top with the legs in abutting relation to the respective ends of the apron side members, and a folded position in which the assemblies are disposed within the perimeter of the top in a plane substantially parallel with the top with the legs superimposed over, and resting on, the under surface of the said side apron members.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 including spring means interconnected between the table top and each end support assembly, said spring means being disposed in relation to the pin and slot interconnection to provide a toggle action for controlling the position of the pin means within the slot means.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the end support assemblies comprise plates projecting inwardly from the legs respectively, the plates are slotted with slots extending at right angles to the legs respectively, and the pins which engage the slots are supported below the top along its respective lateral edges.
 4. The structure claimed in claim 3 including spring means interconnected between the said plates and the table top and acting to initially resist folding and unfolding of the end support assemblies.
 5. The structure claimed in claim 4 in which the said plates define reentry grooves extending inwardly of the plate at an angle and widening inwardly from a narrow mouth between two opposed portions of the plate one of which extends outwardly beyond the other and is hook-shaped, and lock bars are provided below the table top adjacent its respective ends and disposed to be encircled and frictionally engaged by the hook members of said plates respectively as the end support assemblies are moved to unfolded position thus locking the end support assemblies in unfolded position.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 1 in which the lower corners of the ends of the side aprons coact with the pin and slot mounting of the end support assemblies to provide fulcrum points around which the said assemblies are first lifted away from the table top and then moved inwardly of the table top.
 7. The structure claimed in claim 1 including locking bar means adjacent the ends of the top, means for mounting said bar means beneath the top, and hook-shaped means movable with said assemblies respectively from a folded position in which they are remote from said bar means to an unfolded position in which they frictionally engage the bar means.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 7, in which means are provided for eccentrically mounting the locking bar means, and other means are provided for rotating the eccentrically mounted locking bar means to cause them to move along the inner edge of the hook-shaped means.
 9. The structure claimed in claim 8 including spring means interconnected between the plates and the locking bars for first opposing and then aiding folding and unfolding of the end support assembly.
 10. The structure claimed in claim 1 including slotted plates projecting from the legs of said assemblies respectively and pins projecting into said slots respectively from pin supporting means depending from the table top for floating supporting the assembly from the table top.
 11. A folding table comprising a top, brackets depending from the top along its lateral edges adjacent the ends of the top, end support assemblies each comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a stretcher, plates projecting inwardly from adjacent the top of the legs respectively, plate mounting pins projecting inwardly from said brackets the said plate having slots in which said pins are respectively received to floatingly mount the end assemblies for movement between an unfolded position normal to the top and a folded position in which they are disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the top, and camming means disposed in abutting relation to said legs and coacting with the pin and slot mounting of the assemblies as the assemblies are moved from unfolded to folded position to first lift the assemblies away from the under surface of the table top and then move them inwardly of the table top into a plane parallel with the table top.
 12. The structure claimed in claim 11 in which the length of the slots in said plates is greater than the width of said legs to permit the legs of one end assembly to be folded into one plane parallel to the plane of the top and to permit the legs of another end assembly to be folded into another plane parallel to the plane of the top and superimposed over the legs of the first mentioned assembly.
 13. The structure claimed in claim 11 in which locking bar means are provided adjacent the ends of the top and the locking bar means are mounted eccentrically on J-pivot pins, the longer arms of the J-members being pivotally supported in mounting means depending from the table top and the shorter arms of the J-members being connected to the plates groove defining means by extensible spring means. 